Thursday, April 1, 2021

Markham enters Provincewide Shutdown on April 3

MARKHAM, ON – April 1, 2021 – At 12:01 AM on Saturday, April 3, the City of Markham will enter the Provincewide Shutdown, as part of the Government of Ontario’s “emergency brake” measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Provincewide Shutdown will remain in effect for at least four weeks. Ontario’s current colour-coded COVID-19 response framework will be paused while the Provincewide Shutdown is in effect.

The Government of Ontario is implementing the enhanced health and safety measures as a result of an alarming surge in case numbers and COVID-19 hospitalizations across the province as we experience a third wave of the pandemic. COVID-19 hospitalizations are now at their highest since the beginning of the health care crisis. These increases are being driven by COVID-19 variants, which are transmitted easily and result in a higher risk of death and hospitalization, including in younger populations.

All residents are asked to limit trips outside the home to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, supporting vulnerable community members or exercising outdoors. Find out how you can get active safely to support your mental, emotional and physical health during the Provincewide Shutdown by visiting markham.ca/GetActive.

Markham residents are also urged not to travel between regions as cases of the COVID-19 variant continue to rise. Minimizing travel and interactions with those outside of your household will help keep your loved ones safe, save lives and protect the healthcare system.

Gathering limits for organized public events and social gatherings under the Provincewide Shutdown are:

Indoor: 0 people (limit interactions to those in your household)
Outdoor: 5 people maximum (except for gatherings with members of the same household or gatherings of members of one household and one other person from another household who lives alone)
Weddings, funerals, religious services:
- 15% occupancy per room indoors
- To the number of individuals that can maintain a safe distance of 2 metres or 6 feet outdoors (this does not include social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions, which are not permitted indoors and are limited to five people outdoors)

Residents are encouraged to gather virtually with friends and family over Easter and Ramadan and to avoid traditional, large in-person gatherings. An individual who lives alone (household of one) may also gather solely with one other household. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.

The strengthened measures for the Provincewide Shutdown include, but are not limited to:

Restricting in-person shopping in all retail settings, including:
- 50% capacity limit for supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies
- 25% per cent for all other retail including big box stores
Prohibiting personal care services
Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining (take-out, drive-through and delivery only)
Prohibiting the use of facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness (e.g. gyms) with very limited exceptions
Requiring day camps to close

The City of Markham’s COVID-19 affected services are as follows:

Outdoor, in-person recreation programs are cancelled
Library, recreation and fitness programs continue to be offered virtually
City-owned community centres, arenas, pools, fitness centres, the Markham Museum, the Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery will remain closed
Markham Public Library will continue to offer select online services
Markham Public Library curbside pick up of holds and returns will be available at Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville locations
The City continues to provide critical services to residents and businesses virtually and in-person (services requiring in-person assistance require an appointment)
Markham Recycling Depots will remain open
All park facility washrooms remain closed

Businesses that are looking to better understand COVID-19 health and safety regulations can visit markham.ca/CovidEnforcement. We are here to help. All local restaurants, retailers and artisans are encouraged to join Destination Markham’s online business listing at visitmarkham.ca, where they can be found quickly by a community eager to support local. Finance, tax and legal workshops, as well as pre-recorded webinars, continue to be available via the Markham Small Business Centre during these challenging times.

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 while waiting for your vaccination, please continue to follow public health recommendations. As we navigate the pandemic together, the City of Markham continues to monitor and follow advice from public health officials at the federal, provincial and regional levels.

It is critically important that we each continue to do our part to keep one another safe. It is not the time to let your guard down. Every action counts.

Visit markham.ca/covid19 for more information.

Related links:

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 355,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

Stay Connected: Visit our newsroom or search #MarkhamNews and #MarkhamEvents for the latest information on City programs, services and event.